Has Anyone Tips On How To Name Offline Business?

by Avanyx
29 replies
Hi to whoever reads this, I am trying to register a business name for my offline consulting to make everything legit however I am stumped when it comes to choosing a business name.

Has anyone got any tips or can point me in the right direction to finding one or give suggestions.

Many thanks.
#business #offline #tips
  • Profile picture of the author P1
    Fake, easy to say works are probably the best.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4401961].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Clough
    Name it after yourself......like if your last name is Smith, and your doing SEO....call it SMITH SEO / CONSULTING.

    Do not get hung up on a name. Business owners do not care, as all.

    What kind on a name is Google? Pretty damn silly, when I first heard it. Does anyone care now?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4401993].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
    I'm afraid my opinion on this issue differs with that of Mr. Yates. I think there is tremendous power in a name, especially where first impressions are concerned. As a business owner looking at your company, will I be more impressed with Skeeter's SEO or Global Media Solutions, Inc.? I'm not saying that your name will make or break you, but it DOES have an impact on first impressions. Remember, in the beginning, image is everything. Why do you think "branding" became such a big buzz word? Why do you think companies hire image consultants? The name of your company should be, in my opinion, part of your marketing strategy.

    Google was chosen both because of the scientific terms "googol" and "googolplex" and because it was easily remembered. Also, when the name "Google" was chosen, all of Google's business was online, so something short and memorable was perfect.

    I counsel new companies to think of a name that will impress, that is "bigger" than the company actually is, and sounds wholly professional.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4402148].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
      Originally Posted by IdeaFool View Post

      I'm afraid my opinion on this issue differs with that of Mr. Yates. I think there is tremendous power in a name, especially where first impressions are concerned. As a business owner looking at your company, will I be more impressed with Skeeter's SEO or Global Media Solutions, Inc.? I'm not saying that your name will make or break you, but it DOES have an impact on first impressions. Remember, in the beginning, image is everything. Why do you think "branding" became such a big buzz word? Why do you think companies hire image consultants? The name of your company should be, in my opinion, part of your marketing strategy.

      Google was chosen both because of the scientific terms "googol" and "googolplex" and because it was easily remembered. Also, when the name "Google" was chosen, all of Google's business was online, so something short and memorable was perfect.

      I counsel new companies to think of a name that will impress, that is "bigger" than the company actually is, and sounds wholly professional.
      I agree with you would like to use the name to build it as a brand, what tips or suggestions can you give?

      Tell us more about your business plan and services you are planning to offer and we can give you suggestions in this thread. I'll start with: Ultimate Consulting, Power One Consulting etc.
      The services that I will be offering at the moment will be focusing on Mobile Optimized Website Creation & SMS Marketing however I will be offering on the backend Facebook/Twitter Management and SEO Solutions.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4402228].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SpiderHunter
    Tell us more about your business plan and services you are planning to offer and we can give you suggestions in this thread. I'll start with: Ultimate Consulting, Power One Consulting etc.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4402173].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author White80
    From my perspective - check social media accounts are free -use Knowem

    Also - keywords - if you can....

    Hope this helps,

    Joe
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4403105].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
    Suggestions I would give? Interestingly enough, I'm currently writing an ebook that includes this very "What to Name Your Company" issue.

    Here is an excerpt from the book-in-progress regarding the name of a company:

    "The first thing to do is decide what type of business your company will be conducting. If, like many who will purchase this guide, you are into internet marketing, you'll want to find a name that fits. However, you do not want to be too narrow in your focus. For example, instead of Joe's Backlinking Service of Nebraska, you might try something like Peregrine Marketing and Development Corporation. When naming corporations I have created, I tend to think about logos, slogans, what the letterhead and business cards are going to look like, basically the whole "branding" of the company. The reason I picked "Peregrine" above is that the bird-of-prey image could make a great logo.

    British-sounding names work well, also. Words like: Cambridge; Sheffield; Stratford, etc. all appeal to the Anglophile inherent in middle-class Americans. ("Where else can you take tasteless lumps of dough and sell billions of them by calling them 'English' muffins?"--Paul Fussell, Class. A Guide through the American Status System (1983))

    Other "power" words that might be helpful are usually descriptors. Words such as development, venture(s), holdings, financial, investment(s), productions, group, products and the like bring to mind large companies.

    Again, the key here is to give the appearance of a professional and large corporation. You may end up putting more thought into this stage of the process than any other.

    The next consideration into what name you will choose is whether or not you can get a domain name that at least mostly matches the name you want. When I pick a name, I will type in the name followed by .com in my browser just to see if the name is taken. Google the name as well to ensure that you're not picking the name of another corporation that may not take kindly to you using its name.

    NOTE

    Once you have a name, I strongly suggest that you put your business online. Create a professional looking website for your company that conveys the image of conservative respectability."

    Now that I've read the above comments, I will add the whole idea about keywords. Duh! I can't believe I overlooked that!

    Hope this helps you.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4403330].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nutan s patidar
    what kind of your business. ?
    Signature
    Web Designing, Development, Internet Marketing

    For More Details Visit http://www.anemasoftwares.com
    Email: sales@anemasoftwares.com
    Or Call: +917566146228 or +919425961289
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4403435].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mutiny
    When I named my business, I sat down in a quiet place with paper and pencil and brainstormed like crazy. I wrote down every skill and service I wanted to offer, what impression I wanted to make, feelings I wanted people to have when doing business with my company, and the list goes on. The brain dump really helped me see a larger scope of what I had to offer.

    I then went back to that list and wrote down every word I thought conveyed the items on the first list. I ended up with a list of about 100 words, which I then narrowed down. When I had about 20 good ones, I paired them with what I do - marketing. I eliminated a few more because they just didn't sound good. Then, I did domain name searches on the ones left and eliminated several that were taken. I was left with a very short list, and Mutiny Marketing was born.

    Hope this helps.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4404351].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
      Originally Posted by Mutiny View Post

      When I named my business, I sat down in a quiet place with paper and pencil and brainstormed like crazy. I wrote down every skill and service I wanted to offer, what impression I wanted to make, feelings I wanted people to have when doing business with my company, and the list goes on. The brain dump really helped me see a larger scope of what I had to offer.

      I then went back to that list and wrote down every word I thought conveyed the items on the first list. I ended up with a list of about 100 words, which I then narrowed down. When I had about 20 good ones, I paired them with what I do - marketing. I eliminated a few more because they just didn't sound good. Then, I did domain name searches on the ones left and eliminated several that were taken. I was left with a very short list, and Mutiny Marketing was born.

      Hope this helps.
      Hmmm interesting example, but how would I brainstorm words for my consultant business as at the moment the main things I offer would be SMS Marketing and Mobile Optimized Websites....
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4408346].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Mutiny
        Originally Posted by Avanyx View Post

        Hmmm interesting example, but how would I brainstorm words for my consultant business as at the moment the main things I offer would be SMS Marketing and Mobile Optimized Websites....
        You can still do the same thing or similar as you see fit. Focus on what impression you want your clients and prospects to have of your business, what you offer them aside from SMS & Mobile (great customer service, fast turnaround, low prices, etc.) and what you want people to think of when they hear your business name. People don't buy just products. They buy the whole package, and their first impression comes from you. If you have a terrible business name, there's a good chance they'll never place an order no matter how great your products and service are. Just let your mind wonder, write down whatever comes to mind and don't think too hard.

        Let your ideas flow, and you'll come up with something great. If you're not sure about the name or names you choose, test them out on friends and contacts you know.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4408649].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
          Originally Posted by Mutiny View Post

          You can still do the same thing or similar as you see fit. Focus on what impression you want your clients and prospects to have of your business, what you offer them aside from SMS & Mobile (great customer service, fast turnaround, low prices, etc.) and what you want people to think of when they hear your business name. People don't buy just products. They buy the whole package, and their first impression comes from you. If you have a terrible business name, there's a good chance they'll never place an order no matter how great your products and service are. Just let your mind wonder, write down whatever comes to mind and don't think too hard.

          Let your ideas flow, and you'll come up with something great. If you're not sure about the name or names you choose, test them out on friends and contacts you know.
          :-) I guess I am thinking to hard already as my mind has just gone totally blank, is there any chance that you could explain this a little more in like a step by step outline, like I say I am overthinking things now and confusing myself with something simple.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4408696].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Mutiny
            Originally Posted by Avanyx View Post

            :-) I guess I am thinking to hard already as my mind has just gone totally blank, is there any chance that you could explain this a little more in like a step by step outline, like I say I am overthinking things now and confusing myself with something simple.
            It sounds like you are suffering from too much noise in the brain, causing it to cramp up. I'll give a try at outlining steps, but there's really no wrong way to do it if it works for you. I'll start with how to relax your mind, as that seems like it will be very useful to you.

            1. Find a quiet place. It can be inside or outside but must be a place with no cell phone, no television, no computer and no people other than yourself - as few distractions as possible.

            2. Close your eyes and concentrate on what you hear: The hum of the air conditioner, birds chirping - whatever there is to hear. Next, focus on what you feel: Air on your skin, a cool breeze, etc. Just be in the moment to clear your mind, which will relax you. Don't force it - it takes as long as it takes.

            3. When you feel like your mind has let go of the trivialities that are driving you nuts, open your eyes, and pick up your paper and pen/pencil.

            4. Envision your new company. Imagine you're talking to a prospect you just met. What do they think of you and your ideas? What do they want? How can you help them? What will they tell their friends and colleagues about your meeting? Write down everything as it comes to you. Don't think about it - just keep writing. Your pen should never be still.

            5. Now, picture yourself with a client on the phone. They have called because they are interested in your services and are ready to hire you. Why did they call? Why did they call you instead of someone else? How will they be treated? Will they be excited to start working with you? If so, why? Again - don't think, just write.

            6. Next, you find yourself having lunch with a long-time client. This person has been very happy with your service and has sent referrals your way. What will they say about you? Your company? How you've handled them? What you've accomplished? What do they say when referring you to others? What sets your company apart?

            7. Keep going until you feel like you've really got a handle on the scope of your business, services and unique selling proposition.

            8. Now, go back over what you wrote. On a fresh sheet of paper, start writing other words that encompass the ideas you've written down. You might find you think of words like "trustworthy", "ethical", "responsible", "capable", "amazing", "timely"... You get the idea. You can use a thesaurus later - for now just use your brain.

            9. Now write another list of words that are the nuts and bolts of what you do, like "consulting", "SEO", etc. If you know you want your business name to be *** Consulting, you can skip this step.

            If you do #9, you should now have two long lists of words that you can use as a springboard to name your business.

            10. You can then take this list and go to your computer and use searches, thesaurus or the like to find other words meaning the same as the ones you wrote in step #8 and #9 or words that give a similar feeling. You can skip this step if you are really happy with everything you wrote, and you think there are good choices in that list.

            11. Take every word from your #8/#10 list and pair them with your word or words from #9. You may have hundreds of combinations.

            12. Start scratching out everything that doesn't make sense, sounds bad or is hard to pronounce.

            13. Take your #12 list, and do domain searches on every term. Scratch the ones that are taken (if you want a domain to match your business name, which I think is essential).

            14. You should now have a really short list. If you have nothing left, you may want to go back and repeat some of the steps.

            15. If it makes you feel better, share your short list with people you know who may become your clients to get their feedback.

            16. Pick your winner.

            17. Go to Mutiny Marketing | Best Small Business Web Design Services & Custom Logo Design Company, and let us design a fabulous logo for you as well as business cards, because we're really good at it, and I took 20 minutes writing this post! (What a SHAMELESS plug!)
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4410681].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Here are few tips,

    1. Return Customers that Come Back Over and Over.

    2. Building a List of People Waiting and Hungry to Hear About New Things in Your Business.

    3. More Buyers for Life.

    4. Separating Business from Pleasure.

    5. Know What Your Customers Want.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4408490].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
    Now thats what Im talking about :-) huge thanks, will get onto this now and report back with what I have as short list.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4412427].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mutiny
      Originally Posted by Avanyx View Post

      Now thats what Im talking about :-) huge thanks, will get onto this now and report back with what I have as short list.
      So glad to help!

      Keep all your notes, as they will come in very handy for writing a mission statement, copy for your website and any marketing collateral.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4413087].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
        Originally Posted by Mutiny View Post

        So glad to help!

        Keep all your notes, as they will come in very handy for writing a mission statement, copy for your website and any marketing collateral.
        Your mention of a mission statement caught my eye. I think full-fledged business plans are invaluable even if the business owner is not planning on submitting the plan to investors or for debt financing.

        Often when drawing up a business plan, one finds one's assumptions are incorrect. Finding just one false assumption can save a business from failure.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4422259].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dusty7
      I agree! A great post, very informative. Thanks so much!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4433863].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author butter1
    My old gardening business was called 'Lizzie's Lawnmowers' Even though I'm a guy this helped me get more sales.
    Good luck
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4414083].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
      Originally Posted by butter1 View Post

      My old gardening business was called 'Lizzie's Lawnmowers' Even though I'm a guy this helped me get more sales.
      Good luck
      :-) Strange but can see how it would work. Did anyone ever ask where Lizzie was
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4418242].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Bio Clean
      Originally Posted by butter1 View Post

      My old gardening business was called 'Lizzie's Lawnmowers' Even though I'm a guy this helped me get more sales.
      Good luck
      It's a name that folks will remember. I think that's the key.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4466249].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
    don't fuss over a name right now... go get some clients... wouldnt put too much thought into it... again, with this kind of business... no one cares about anything other than results... if you are trying to be perceived as a massive agency, then perhaps try to come up with something like "prestige worldwide" or whatever, (lol) but work on stuff that matters first... flesh out your business plan, your services, etc. etc. stuff that makes progress - and ill bet you come up with the right name soon enough.

    Google and Apple are MUCH different types of companies, COMPLETELY different than an offline marketing consultancy. this is where branding plays a much more significant role.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4422323].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
    Any more tips or suggestions, I love all the ideas so far...

    I have had a go a a few online business name generators but so far they churn out a lot of rubbish names that would get people tounge tied or wouldn't know how to spell them in address bar...

    I did have one idea which was.

    Busiiiness - Get More I's On Your Business!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4425638].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JustSomeWarrior
    Avanyx, it doesn't matter what the name of your company is. It depends on how you find your customers. Check out these three local plumbers and tell me what you think:

    Michael and Son's
    F.H. Furr
    Turbo-Rooter

    These guys are all over the place where I live with big trucks and advertisements. They are all making a killing. There are smaller companies with lame names, too, like "John's plumbing service." I just hired a company to help with some electrical called "Poppy's Electric."

    Your name isn't entirely insignificant. But don't get hung up on it. Coca-Cola? Pepsi Cola? Both are popular.

    What matters is how you market to your customers. How you find and bring them in will be the ultimate determination of your success.
    Busiiiness sucks. Your customers aren't going to know if it's three i's or two or four. They aren't going to get it without your slogan.

    After you explain it, half will roll their eye's, thinking it's lame. The other half will think it's cute. You don't want either of those things.

    If you want them to take you absolutely seriously, come up with a name that makes you sound like an accounting or law firm. I started a company with a name like this. Everyone thought we were some big company with millions of dollars. It was just me running around in a Honda Accord. I cleaned up until I closed it out. No one ever thought I was some start up. They took me seriously and bought service contracts, etc.

    Keep it super simple! KISS.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4432220].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
      Originally Posted by JustSomeWarrior View Post

      Avanyx, it doesn't matter what the name of your company is. It depends on how you find your customers. Check out these three local plumbers and tell me what you think:

      Michael and Son's
      F.H. Furr
      Turbo-Rooter

      These guys are all over the place where I live with big trucks and advertisements. They are all making a killing. There are smaller companies with lame names, too, like "John's plumbing service." I just hired a company to help with some electrical called "Poppy's Electric."

      Your name isn't entirely insignificant. But don't get hung up on it. Coca-Cola? Pepsi Cola? Both are popular.

      What matters is how you market to your customers. How you find and bring them in will be the ultimate determination of your success.
      Busiiiness sucks. Your customers aren't going to know if it's three i's or two or four. They aren't going to get it without your slogan.

      After you explain it, half will roll their eye's, thinking it's lame. The other half will think it's cute. You don't want either of those things.

      If you want them to take you absolutely seriously, come up with a name that makes you sound like an accounting or law firm. I started a company with a name like this. Everyone thought we were some big company with millions of dollars. It was just me running around in a Honda Accord. I cleaned up until I closed it out. No one ever thought I was some start up. They took me seriously and bought service contracts, etc.

      Keep it super simple! KISS.
      Thank you for your advice, I dont know what I was thinking now with the name BUSIIINESS :rolleyes:

      The idea for me was to start of with a good name that I can build as a highly sought after company for offline/online marketing, which is why I am spending so much time searching for the perfect name.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4432733].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Austin357
    A business name and brand is very important. One suggestion would to check your niche for very popular keywords. I have used high volume keywords as part of my business name. Once you get a good keyword, try and few different ways to incorporate a good name around that keyword. Then you can do your SEO and go from there.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4432785].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
      Originally Posted by Austin357 View Post

      A business name and brand is very important. One suggestion would to check your niche for very popular keywords. I have used high volume keywords as part of my business name. Once you get a good keyword, try and few different ways to incorporate a good name around that keyword. Then you can do your SEO and go from there.
      Never thought about trying that method, thanks another idea to test out...

      Over to Google Keyword Tool I go...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4432836].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Avanyx
    Brain has gone blank again folks, should I come up with a name with reconisable words or an entirely new made up word?

    The only problem with made up word is the fact that a prospect looking for me on the internet might mispell it.

    Your thoughts.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4465944].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
      Originally Posted by Avanyx View Post

      Brain has gone blank again folks, should I come up with a name with reconisable words or an entirely new made up word?

      The only problem with made up word is the fact that a prospect looking for me on the internet might mispell it.

      Your thoughts.
      Unfortunately, you're never going to get away from folks who do not spell so well. That's one of the reasons that "mistyped" domains can command such high prices. For example, try buying foogle.com and see what the price would be! LOL!

      If you choose a completely made up word, make sure the spelling of the word is self-evident. Look at google, for example. I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet that the creators of google realized that most people in the world would not know how to spell googol (which, as mentioned in a previous post, is the actual spelling for the mathematical term), and so chose to change their business name to the more logical spelling.

      Just my .02 ducats.

      Shawn
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4466049].message }}

Trending Topics